Advanced Education and Skills
September 30, 2015

Supporting Students for Stronger Communities

Summer Employment Programs Create 2,566 Jobs in 2015

The Provincial Government supported the creation of 2,566 student summer jobs this past summer through an investment of $5.3 million. These jobs were created in cooperation with employers across the province through the two summer employment programs delivered by the Department of Advanced Education and Skills, and through funding provided to Memorial University, Marine Institute, College of the North Atlantic, Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador, and Women in Science and Engineering in support of summer student employment initiatives.

"Students in this province availed of a student summer employment opportunities again this year with the aim to enriching their lifelong work skills. The Provincial Government is committed to creating jobs for youth in Newfoundland and Labrador during the summer months and these are important programs for students and organizations in every region of the province. Summer jobs help youth gain experience needed as they move forward in their education, which will ultimately help them secure future employment.
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills

The provincial student employment programs help connect students in the province with employment while school is out for the summer. Students gained experience in job areas such as a summer camp counsellor, pharmacy assistant, angling sales associate, business marketing data entry, summer festival actor, tour guide and marina maintenance assistant. The 2015 student employment numbers are comparable to 2014, when changes to administration of student employment programs resulted in a 20 per cent increase in student jobs.

"Youth employment positions like those offered by Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador's Green Team program help to give young people the necessary skills, confidence, and knowledge to prepare for their careers. When given the chance to have meaningful work opportunities at a young age, youth discover their strengths and build foundations for their futures."
- Darren Feltham, Executive Director, Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador

Ensuring students get the best work experience possible is an important part of their educational experience and allows them to pay for post-secondary education. The recent elimination of provincial student loans to non-repayable grants and the introduction of a part-time incentive grant program demonstrate the Provincial Government's commitment to affordable, accessible post-secondary education. These programs also support all four action plans of the Population Growth Strategy - workforce, families, communities and immigration.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government supported 2,566 student summer jobs in 2015 under the summer student employment programs, with funding of $5.3 million.
• Students gained experience in job areas such as a summer camp counsellor, pharmacy assistant, angling sales associate, business marketing data entry, summer festival actor, and tour guide and marina maintenance assistant.
• The Student Summer Employment Program - Post-Secondary allows private employers and not-for-profit organizations throughout the province to avail of a wage subsidy under the program to help them hire post-secondary students for the summer months.
• The Student Summer Employment Program - High School, allows not-for-profit organizations throughout the province to avail of a wage subsidy under the program to help them hire high school students for the summer months.
• Student summer employment fosters a workforce for the future which is an element of the Workforce Development Action Plan under the Population Growth Strategy. For more information, visit //homeforgoodnl.ca .

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Media contact:

John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-1795, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2015 09 30                              12:05 p.m.